USDA’s initial U.S.
spring onion acreage for harvest estimate of 37,900 acres is up 2,600
acres (7.4 percent) from 35,300 acres harvested last year and just
slightly higher than the 35,700 acres harvested in 2004 when the market
weakened. Early estimates of spring onion production, based on yield
forecasts (Georgia and Texas) or average yields of the past 10 years
(Arizona and California), at 1.188 billion pound is up 5.6 percent
from 1.124 billion pounds produced last year, when prices improved
over the 2004 season. (See Figure 1). Early this past week (4.10-11.06)
, spring onions were trading at about $9-$10 for 50 lb sacks of super
colossals, $7-$8 for colossals, $6 for jumbos and $4.00-$4.50 for
mediums. Early estimates indicate that adequate supplies will be available
when the harvest opens in the Laredo-Winter Garden region of Texas.
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Acreage and Yields Up
Increased acreage for harvest and a higher forecast yields influenced
the increased production estimate. (See Figure 2). While only 200
more acres of spring onions were planted, the estimate of the acres
for harvest for 2006 at 37,900 acres is up 7.4 percent from 35,300
acres harvested last year. Acreage for harvest are up across the U.S.
spring onion production belt, except in Arizona, which is down 50
percent from 2,000 acres harvested last year. Georgia lost close to
1,000 acres of onions to hail last year. This year, Georgia not only
planted 500 more acres, but also plans to 3,000 more acres, up 28.6
percent from 10,500 acres harvested last year. (See Table 1)
